When: Thursday, November 27th, 7pm

Where: Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St. Bathurst and Bloor, Toronto

In 2003, the U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq on false pretenses and left the country in ruins almost a decade later, creating the conditions for ISILs ascension in the region.

Now the U.S. is spearheading a campaign to return to Iraq and enter Syria to fight off ISIL. Canada has heeded its neighbours call for support and is already on the ground helping with the mission. Canadian reinforcement for U.S. imperial endevours around the world is standard procedure, but Canada has its very own imperial strategy as well. A new foreign policy stance has led to interventions in Afghanistan, Haiti, Libya, and Mali, among other places.

Canada is again intervening in the Middle East with fighter jets, logistics, forward bases, and other supports. This is another escalation in the 'new militarism' that is dominating Canadian foreign policy and increasingly, society. Can the intervention succeed even on its own militarist terms? What are the alternatives for the anti-war movement?

In the midst of the conflict is the besieged city of Kobane, part of the Kurdish region of Rojava in northern Syria. Two years ago Syrian Kurds declared autonomy and set up a system of direct democracy called Democratic Confederalism. What is happening on the ground and how can the Left support the Rojava Revolution and Kobane?

Speakers:

Judy Deutsch, Science for Peace, Canadian Dimension Magazine

Tyler Shipley, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Humber College

Sardar Saadi, PhD Student at UofT, Toronto-based activist

The event is free.

The space is accessible by mobile ramp upon request in advance. Washrooms are not accessible.

Sponsored by: Centre for Social Justice, Science for Peace, Socialist Project